Former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Danny Williams, involved in row during Fastpitch National Championship game

Dan Boyd

Published: Sep 02, 2018 at 3:08 p.m.

Updated: Sep 05, 2018 at 11:14 a.m.

Newfoundland Galway Hitmen runner collides with the B.C pitcher, who was covering home plate.

Newfoundland Galway Hitmen runner collides with the B.C pitcher, who was covering home plate.

Following the collision, a fight between the two teams ensued, leading to several ejections.

Following the collision, a fight between the two teams ensued, leading to several ejections.

Following the collision, a fight between the two teams ensued, leading to several ejections.

Former Newfoundland and Labrador premier and Galway Hitmen owner Danny Williams can be seen on the field during the confrontation (centre).

Former Newfoundland and Labrador premier and Galway Hitmen owner Danny Williams can be seen on the field during the confrontation (centre).

Officials and coaches deal with the aftermath of the first fight, soon after, another one breaks out.

Officials and coaches deal with the aftermath of the first fight, soon after, another one breaks out.

Officials and coaches deal with the aftermath of the first fight, soon after, another one breaks out.

Then in the third inning, Stephen Lieph of the Loggers threw an inside pitch to Newfoundland player Ryan Boland, who took objection and traveled to the mound with bat in hand, but the players were quickly separated.

Then in the third inning, Stephen Lieph of the Loggers threw an inside pitch to Newfoundland player Ryan Boland, who took objection and traveled to the mound with bat in hand, but the players were quickly separated.

Then in the third inning, Stephen Lieph of the Loggers threw an inside pitch to Newfoundland Catcher Ryan Boland, who took objection and traveled to the mound with bat in hand, but the players were quickly separated.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches no punches were thrown. BC pitcher, Lieph, was the only player ejected during this incident.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches no punches were thrown. BC pitcher, Lieph, was the only player ejected during this incident.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches no punches were thrown. BC pitcher, Lieph, was the only player ejected during this incident.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches no punches were thrown. BC pitcher, Lieph, was the only player ejected during this incident.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches no punches were thrown. BC pitcher, Lieph, was the only player ejected during this incident.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches no punches were thrown. BC pitcher, Lieph, was the only player ejected during this incident.

Newfoundland and B.C. face each other again for the gold medal game on Sept. 2.

Newfoundland and B.C. face each other again for the gold medal game on Sept. 2.

Newfoundland and B.C. face each other again for the gold medal game on Sept. 2.

Newfoundland and B.C. face each other again for the gold medal game on Sept. 2.

ST. CROIX, N.S. — The B.C. Loggers advanced to their second playoff game late Saturday night against the Newfoundland Galway-Hitmen, and despite losing 7-0, were involved in two bench clearing incidents.

A brawl erupted early in the first inning when Newfoundland runner Mathieu Roy took exception to the Loggers' catcher Kyle Cowick's positioning at the plate to tag him out.

As the ball slid from Cowick’s glove following the slide, the Newfoundland bench emptied and punches were thrown.

Former Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, the team owner of the Galway Hitmen, was on the field during the first altercation, something that the Loggers' manager, John Bishop, said “he had no business doing because he was not a coach or manager and was not in uniform.”

Bishop added, “I will be looking into that and see if Softball Canada officials had taken note of it."

In the first round of ejections, Roy and another Newfoundland player were ejected while Cowick was the lone B.C. player tossed.

This all transpired in the first inning.

Then in the third inning, Stephen Lieph, of the Loggers, threw an inside pitch to Newfoundland player Ryan Boland, who took objection and traveled to the mound with bat in hand, but the players were quickly separated.

Lieph was the only player ejected during this incident.

During the second confrontation, despite another clearing of the benches, no punches were thrown.

"It was a game that had everything, but (I) couldn’t understand why Lieph was ejected and Boland (was) allowed to stay as a result of the second altercation,” Bishop said. “Lieph was throwing an inside pitch but certainly not attempting to injure anyone whatsoever."

Bishop suggested that Newfoundland instigated the brawling but said, “the Loggers were not going to turtle from anyone.”

Softball Canada officials were behind closed doors after midnight Atlantic time and throughout the wee morning hours to determine whether supplemental discipline would be required prior to the Loggers-Elmira game.

In earlier action Saturday, the Loggers blanked the host East Hants Mastodons 2-0 while allowing the Mastodons a single hit as Scott Lieph dominated, striking out 14.

The B.C. Sooke Loggers will take on the Newfoundland Galway Hitmen at 4 p.m. on Sept. 2.